News

Donny Green, DeKalb-Cannon County FSA County Executive Director, announces that the nomination period for the 2023 Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee Election is underway. The nomination period continues through August 1, 2023.

“I encourage all producers to participate in the county committee election process by nominating candidates by the August 1 deadline,” said Green. “We are counting on as much participation as possible, because county committees are an important link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We have seen a trend in recent years of increased nominations of minority, beginning farmers, and women producers and we hope that will continue.”

Committees apply their judgment and knowledge to make decisions on county commodity price-support loan eligibility, establishment of allotments and yields, conservation programs, disaster programs, employment and other farm program-related issues. Nationwide, there are more than 7,700 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. Committees consist of three to 11 members who are elected by eligible local producers. Member serve three-year terms.

To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area in which the person is a candidate.

Nominees must reside in Local Administrative Area (LAA) for which they are seeking to be elected. For the 2023 Election, the DeKalb-Cannon FSA County Committee Election will conduct elections in LAA # 2 (DeKalb County) and LAA # 4 (Cannon County). Below are the descriptions of the LAA’s that will be conducting elections this year: 

Local Administrative Area # 2, the portions of DeKalb County described as following:

West of a line where Hwy. 146 crosses the Cannon County line following Hwy. 146 north to Hodges Rd.; thence north to Tabernacle Rd.; following a line from Tabernacle Rd. to Dry Creek Rd.; west of Dry Creek Rd. to Hwy. 70 West; north of Hwy. 70 to Hwy. 96 North (Dale Ridge Rd.); west of Hwy. 96 North to Hwy. 141 (Wolf Creek Rd.);West of Hwy. 141 to Center Hill Dam; thence following the Caney Fork River north/northwest to the Smith County line; thence south of the Smith County line; thence east of the Wilson County line to the Cannon County line; northwest of the Cannon County line back to the intersection of Hwy. 146 and the DeKalb/Cannon County line. 

Local Administrative Area # 4, the portions of Cannon County described as following:

That portion of Cannon County that lies east of Highway 53 (a state highway that runs south from the DeKalb County line and north from the Coffee County Line).

Individuals may nominate themselves, or others, as a candidate. In addition, eligible candidates can be nominated by community-based and other organizations in the county where the election is being held before the close of the nomination period, especially groups representing socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.  Nominations and elections are open to all eligible candidates and voters without regard to race, color, religion, nation origin, age, sex, marital status or disability.  The nomination form (FSA-669A) is available at USDA Service Centers and online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections

Ballots will be mailed to all eligible voters in LAA’s # 2 and # 4 on November 6, 2023. Completed ballots must be returned, either in person or postmarked, no later December 4, 2023. For more information about FSA county committees, visit the DeKalb/Cannon County USDA Service Center or call 615-597-8225, extension 2.

The state of Tennessee experienced lower unemployment in April, according to newly released data from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). It is the second consecutive month the statewide jobless rate has dropped.

The April 2023 seasonally adjusted rate came in at 3.3%, 0.1 of a percentage point lower than the previous month and 0.1 of a percentage point away from the state’s all-time lowest unemployment rate of 3.2%.

In a year-to-year comparison, the state’s new unemployment rate was unchanged from April 2022.

Tennessee employers added 2,000 new nonfarm jobs to the state’s workforce between March and April. The education and health services sector accounted for most of the new jobs during the month. The government sector and the manufacturing sector added the next largest number of jobs to the state’s economy.

Between April 2022 and April 2023, the number of new nonfarm jobs in Tennessee grew by 90,000 positions. The leisure and hospitality sector reported the largest amount of growth during the year. The education and health services sector had the next largest increase, followed by the government sector.

As the school year nears an end, Tennessee employers have job openings ready and waiting for young people across the state. The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) provides job opportunities to Tennesseans ages 14 through 24. They can work up to eight weeks and can earn as much as $16 per hour. Young people interested in participating in the program should visit TNWorkReady.com or their local American Job Center for more information.

All Cannon County Schools will be closed for Students on Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023 & Wednesday, May 24th, 2023 for Staff Professional Development Days.

Director of Cannon County Schools – William Freddy Curtis stated, “ALL Cannon County Schools will be CLOSED for Students on Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023 & Wednesday, May 24th, 2023 for Staff Professional Development Days.  The Tennessee Department of Education has approved remaining Inclement Weather or Stockpile Days to be converted to Professional Development days for ALL Cannon County Schools Personnel.  Teachers will have training including the New Tennessee Math Standards, Resilient Training, Computer Science Training, and other essential training topics.  ALL Staff will receive an updated School Safety On-Line Training Webinar from the Tennessee Department of Education. Thursday, May 25^th, 2023 was already a “Teacher Work Day” on the Regular Cannon County Schools Adopted Calendar.”   

Curtis continued, “ALL Cannon County Schools’ Students will return on Friday, May 26^th, 2023 for an Abbreviated Day to pick up Report Cards. Buses will run on a regular schedule for regular morning pick-up and ALL Schools will dismiss at 9:00 AM with Buses running at that time.”

Our profiles of the members of the Class of 2023 at Cannon County High School continues this week. The students and broadcast hours are listed below.

Monday, May 15th

9am    Kacey Smotherman

10am  Carley Jo Teter

11am  Elizabeth Stanley

12pm  Vitelii Tilzo

1pm    Mason Lee Tramel

2pm    Kaden Thomas

3pm    Kelsey Underhill

Tuesday, May 15th

9am    Kierra Underman

10am  Kylie Underman

11am  Justin Watts

12pm  Houston Witty

1pm    Tiara Woodard

2pm    Sarah Grace Wheeler

3pm    Hayden Yochek

Wednesday, May 17th

9am    Brydon McCavanagh

10am  Leighanne Dodd

11am  Anaston Holt

Thursday, May 18th

9am    Houstion Whitty

10am  William Lorance

11am  Kaitlyn Ludac

Friday, May 19th

9am    Alexis Ludac (Salutatorian)

10am  Ethan Powell (Valedictorian)

Governor Bill Lee has signed strong school safety legislation into law and recognized the investment of more than $230 million to strengthen safety at public and private schools across Tennessee. 

“Nothing is more important than Tennessee students and teachers returning home from school safely each day,” said Gov. Lee. “Every year since 2019, we’ve worked with the General Assembly to prioritize school safety, and this year, we’ve passed significant measures to fund an armed SRO for every public school, enhance mental health support and boost physical security at public and private schools across Tennessee.” 

At the beginning of the 2023 legislative session, Gov. Lee introduced a bill to strengthen physical security at every public school and enhance accountability in school safety protocols, in addition to an initial budget proposal that included $30 million for 122 Homeland Security agents to serve students at both public and private schools in every Tennessee county.

Following the tragic Covenant shooting, Gov. Lee worked with the General Assembly to enhance his legislation and increase funding in the Fiscal Year 23-24 budget to place an armed School Resource Officer (SRO) at every Tennessee public school, boost physical school security at public and private schools, and provide additional mental health resources for Tennesseans.

Enhanced School Safety Legislation

• Enacts a multi-tiered accountability plan to ensure exterior doors are locked while students are present
• Requires that private security guards receive active shooter training prior to being posted at schools 
• Requires every school district to establish threat assessment teams to ensure students are connected to support services and behavioral health professionals when appropriate
• Requires every public and private school to develop annual safety plans, including a newly required incident command drill for school leaders and law enforcement

$230 Million in School Safety Funding

• $30 million for more than 100 Homeland Security agents across all 95 counties to serve Tennesseans and students in both public and non-public schools
• $140 million for one full-time, armed School Resource Officer (SRO) for every public school
• $40 million for public school security upgrades
• $14 million for private school security upgrades
• $8 million for additional School-Based Behavioral Health Liaisons across the state

Since 2019, Gov. Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly have prioritized investments in school safety every year. In June 2021, the Governor signed Executive Order 97 and launched a statewide effort to enhance school safety by boosting collaboration among parents, schools and local law enforcement across the state. A complete list of Gov. Lee’s school safety actions to date can be found here. 

Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced that he will call for the Tennessee General Assembly to convene a special legislative session on August 21, 2023, to strengthen public safety and preserve constitutional rights. 

“After speaking with members of the General Assembly, I am calling for a special session on August 21 to continue our important discussion about solutions to keep Tennessee communities safe and preserve the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens,” said Gov. Lee. “There is broad agreement that action is needed, and in the weeks ahead, we’ll continue to listen to Tennesseans and pursue thoughtful, practical measures that strengthen the safety of Tennesseans, preserve Second Amendment rights, prioritize due process protections, support law enforcement and address mental health.”

Starting today, Tennesseans are invited to engage in the conversation by sharing feedback here.

Gov. Lee will meet with legislators, stakeholders and Tennesseans throughout the summer to discuss practical solutions ahead of the special session. 

The Governor’s office will issue a formal call ahead of the special session. 

Commencement ceremonies for the class of 2023 are scheduled for May 19^th, 2023. One-hundred eighteen students will walk the line at Fred Schwartz Field.

Cannon County’s Radio Station continues the tradition of air profiles of the members of the graduating class.  During midday broadcast hours, listeners will have the opportunity to learn more about the leaders of tomorrow.  Profiles for week two include:

Monday, May 8th

9am    Colton Lemamer

10am  Sara Jean King

11am  Kellie Ann Koss

12pm  Alexis Luduc

1pm    Kaitlyn Laduc

2pm    William Lorrance

3pm    Jada Luurs

4pm    Chassdi Mann

Tuesday, May 9th

9am    Brody Morris

10am  Grace Mathis

11am  Jayden McCombs

12pm  Alexia McPeak

1pm    Josh Mingle

2pm    Brydan McCavanagh

3pm    James Aidan Moore

Wednesday, May 10th

9am    Travis Lee Myers Jr.

10am  Charlee Kate Nichols

11am  Lola Jo Odom

12pm  Shayna OkoAhlohToro

1pm    Taban Paxon

2pm    Bradley Passenger

3pm    Aiden Pope

Thursday, May 11th

9am    Tyson Ray Pope

10am  Savannah Porter

11am  Ethan Powell

12pm  Aiden Purdy

1pm    Madelyn Reed

2pm    Luis Rodeguez

3pm    Connor Rodgers

Friday, May 12th

9am    Jayden Rhea

10am  Taylor Ross

11am  Alana Rusnack

12pm  Xylene Sadsad

1pm    Paul Ethan Simon

2pm    Alexis Jade Sissom

3pm    Branson Smithson

Senior awards night will be Monday, May 8^th ( 7:00PM) at Robert A. Harris Gymnasium.  WBRY will broadcast awards night and commencement ceremonies on May 19^th.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the assistance of the public in finding Melissa A. Sanders, a 49-year-old white female who is wanted for the crimes of Theft of Property, $1,000.00 or More, and Financial Exploitation of an Elderly or Vulnerable Adult.

According to the authorities, there is currently no information on the type of vehicle that Sanders may be driving.

The authorities are urging anyone with information on her whereabouts to come forward and contact Warren County Investigator Spencer Pryor at (931) 473-8032 or the non-emergency number of the E-911 Center at (931) 668-7000.

Governor Bill Lee has announced the appointment of Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds as commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE), effective July 1. Reynolds will succeed Dr. Penny Schwinn, who will step down at the end of the school year after more than four years of service to Tennesseans.

“During her years of dedicated service, Penny has played a key role in our administration’s work to ensure educational opportunity for Tennessee students and secure the next generation of teachers, while navigating historic learning challenges,” said Lee. “I have tremendous gratitude for her leadership and wish her much success in her next chapter.”

Dr. Penny Schwinn joined the Lee administration in January 2019 and has served the state through some of the most challenging education crises in modern history. During Schwinn’s tenure, considerable initiatives to accelerate K-12 education have been implemented and several nationally recognized initiatives have been introduced, including:

• School Funding Reform: In 2022, the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) Act reformed the state’s outdated 30-year-old funding formula and made the largest recurring investment in state history.
• Education Savings Account Program: Tennessee implemented the Education Savings Account (ESA) program to give Tennessee parents a choice in their child’s education. Today, 1,400 students have been approved to attend the school of their choice and nearly 500 students are enrolled in a participating school.
• Preparing the Future Workforce: Tennessee has strengthened vocational education opportunities to give students the skills needed to join the workforce, investing $500 million to expand middle and high school career and technical education programs and extending additional dual enrollment credits for high school juniors and seniors through the Governor’s Investment in Education (GIVE) program. Tennessee also created the Future Workforce Initiative to increase STEM training in K-12 schools, aimed at placing Tennessee in the top 25 states for creating technology jobs by launching new Computer Science and STEM-focused programs.
• Teaching Apprenticeship: Tennessee became the first state in the country to make teaching an apprentice-based profession, making it free to become a teacher while being paid to do so. The Grow Your Own initiative has significantly increased the number of teachers, special education and ESL endorsements, aspiring principals and assistant principals, and school leaders of color.
• Prioritizing Literacy & Learning Loss Intervention: Tennessee was among the first states to get students back in the classroom in 2020 and swiftly address learning loss. During an historic special legislative session in January 2021, Gov. Lee and members of the General Assembly passed strong literacy programs to benefit students, namely Reading 360, which has led to almost full academic recovery and created the largest permanent summer school program serving pre-K–9th grade and the largest state tutoring program in the country with over 200,000 students served. 
• Innovative School Models: With the single largest one-time investment in public education in state history, Tennessee’s Innovative School Models grant expanded postsecondary opportunities for middle and high school students and more than quadrupled the number of apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities for students.

Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds will succeed Schwinn as commissioner of TDOE.

“Lizzette’s significant education policy expertise and leadership make her well-suited to continue our work to deliver a high-quality education and expand school choice for Tennessee students,” said Lee. “I welcome her to Tennessee and appreciate her service to students, families and teachers across the state.”

Reynolds is currently the Vice President of Policy for ExcelinEd and has previously served as deputy legislative director for then-Governor George W. Bush, Special Assistant in the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs for U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige, Regional Representative for U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and Chief Deputy Commissioner at the Texas Education Agency. Her career reflects a deep commitment to school choice, assessment and accountability, college and career pathways and education policy. She earned her undergraduate degree from Southwestern University. She is married to David Reynolds and has three children, Luke, Lillianna and Joaquin.

Sam Pearcy, currently Deputy Commissioner of Operations at TDOE, will serve as the department’s interim commissioner until July 1.

Commencement ceremonies for the class of 2023 are scheduled for May 19^th, 2023. One-hundred eighteen students will walk the line at Fred Schwartz Field.

Cannon County’s Radio Station continues the tradition of air profiles of the members of the graduating class.  During midday broadcast hours, listeners will have the opportunity to learn more about the leaders of tomorrow.  Profiles for week one include:

Monday, May 1st

9am       Sierra Ashford

10am    Alexis Barnes

11am    Montana Blaine

12pm    Kathryn Blackman

1pm       Bryson Blasingame

2pm       Christopher Blount Jr.

3pm       Joda Bobo

Tuesday, May 2nd

9am       Haley Bumbalagh

10am    Haliegh Christy

11am    Zoey Coe

12pm    Christopher Church

1pm       Patricia Crane

2pm       Montana Davis

3pm       Cloudia Gracia Diaz

Wednesday, May 3rd

9am       Leighanne Dodd

10am    Braden Emberton

11am    Austin Ferrell

12pm    Jacob Foster

1pm       Nicholas Foster

2pm       Hannah Jo Foulk

3pm       Sadie Frazier

Thursday, May 4th

9am       Kemberleigh Freeman

10am    Haliee Gunter

11am    Ana Guerreo

12pm    Tyler Gunter

1pm       Keilee Hedrick

2pm       Jaden Henderson

3pm       Brady Higgins

Friday, May 5th

9am       Alex Hill

10am    Ricky Hollis

11am    Anaston Holt

12pm    Greg Howard

1pm       Joshua Jerrinigan

2pm       Aleeya Johnson

3pm       Kimberly Johnson

4pm       Kaitlyn Judkins

Senior awards night will be Monday, May 8^th at Robert A. Harris Gymnasium.  WBRY will broadcast awards night and commencement ceremonies on May 19^th.